2018 15U National Team Trials Roster Finalized

15U National Team Trials will begin July 29 in Cary, North Carolina

July 28, 2018

DURHAM, N.C. - Following the conclusion of the 2018 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP) on Friday, USA Baseball announced 18 players selected from the program to finalize the 2018 15U National Team Trials roster. Phase 1 of 15U National Team Trials will begin July 29 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.

The 18 will join 54 additional athletes that received invitations to the 15U Trials following the 2018 National Team Championships in Arizona and Florida to round out the final 72-man roster. Phase 2 of 15U Trials will begin on August 1 and will feature 34 athletes vying for a spot on the final 20-man national team roster.

The 2018 15U National Team will participate in training in Cary, North Carolina, from August 4-7 before traveling to David, Panama, for the 2018 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup.

"We are excited to finalize the roster for the 2018 15U National Team Trials with these athletes," said Ashley Bratcher, Senior Director of Baseball Operations at USA Baseball. "The talent level at the 2018 14U National Team Development Program was incredibly high and made the decisions very difficult for the coaching staff. But we believe we have selected the right 18 athletes to round out the 15U Trials roster.

"Now, the 15U National Team coaching staff is ready to get out on the field and work with these players over the coming weeks to narrow down the field and ultimately pick the best team to represent the U.S. as we look to bring back the first world cup title in 15U National Team history."

15U National Team alums and COPABE Pan Am "AA" Championships gold medalists Davis Diaz (Pittsburg, Calif.) and Joshua Hartle (King, N.C.) return to 15U Team trials for the second consecutive year after both earned a roster spot after competing at the 2017 14U NTDP. In addition, nine members of the 2016 12U National Team that won silver at the COPABE Pan Am "A" Championships were selected to compete at 15U Trials from the 2018 14U NTDP.

In total, 22 USA Baseball national team alumni are on the trials roster, including Diaz and 13 other members of the 2015 12U National Team that won a gold medal at the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup in Taichung, Taiwan. In addition to the 18 players selected from the 2018 14U NTDP, 23 other invitees have previously participated in the 14U National Team Development Program.

Thirty-seven players on the 15U National Team Trials roster are new to USA Baseball programming in 2018. The athletes selected for the USA Baseball National Team Trials are chosen from the 15U National Team Championships, the USA Baseball 14U National Team Identification Series (NTIS), the NTDP and recommendations from professional scouts and college and high school coaches.

In total, the 72 athletes invited to 15U Trials span 23 different states and Puerto Rico.

Jason Maxwell will serve as the 15U National Team manager in 2018 and is joined on staff by Manny Crespo, Troy Gerlach and Adam Moseley.

For more information on the 15U National Team and the selection process, follow along on Twitter, at @USABaseball15U

USA Baseball Announces 2018 National Team Identification Series Selections

A total of 68 athletes were selected for 2019 national team programming from the 2018 NTIS

September 10, 2018

DURHAM, N.C. - USA Baseball announced on Wednesday the 68 athletes that were selected from the 2018 National Team Identification Series (NTIS) to participate in 2019 national team programming. The tenth-annual NTIS was held at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, from August 8-26 and for the tenth year in a row, the selection announcement was made through an online show.

Twenty-seven states and 16 regions from across the U.S. are represented by the 68 athletes chosen and fourteen states boast more than one selection.

Under the direction of USA Baseball task force, the 2018 NTIS featured over 1,200 of the nation's best players competing in 172 games, as well as skill testing and on-field evaluations. Twelve athletes were invited to compete at each of the 2019 12U National Team Trials, the 2019 14U, 16U and 17U National Team Development Programs (NTDP) and the 15U National Team Trials. In addition, eight players from the 17U NTIS were chosen to participate in the 2019 18U National Team selection process.

"Our task force had a difficult job selecting just 68 athletes out of the incredible pool of talent from across the U.S. that participated in this year's NTIS," Senior Director of Baseball Operations, Ashley Bratcher, said. "We are excited about the players chosen from the 2018 event and what they will bring to our 2019 national team programming."

The 2018 USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) is the most comprehensive player identification program offered by Team USA. With tryouts in every region of the country, players now have greater access to USA Baseball National Team opportunities than ever before. The program includes six separate age groups - 11U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 15U and 17U.

The 2018 National Team Identification Series selections are as follows:

Stars Win Game 3 to Take Series at 14U NTDP

CARY, N.C.- Seven runs on 10 hits and a strong pitching performance was the difference in today's final game of the Stars vs. Stripes intrasquad series at 14U NTDP, as the Stars came out on top 7-1.

The Stripes struck first in the bottom of the second inning to gain an early 1-0 lead. Dylan Lina (Carson, Calif.) put himself in scoring position with a lead-off double, and the very next batter, Marcos Rosales (West Covina, Calif.), grounded out to the shortstop while Lina rounded third to score.

It was a one-out triple from Kaden Martin (Redondo Beach, Calif.) in the top of the third that helped the Stars to take the lead. Jaden Anderson (Duluth, Ga.) led the inning off with a double, before Martin crushed one over the center fielder's head to plate the first run of the frame. Justin Crawford (Torrance, Calif.) grounded out in the next at bat to bring the score to 2-1.

Two runs came across the plate for the Stars in the fourth, when Jamie Felix (Kingsland, Ga.) hit a two-RBI double to left center, scoring Demitri Diamant (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Jacob Randolph, (Vero Beach, Fla.) who both reached on walks.

Tamarr Johnson (Atlanta, Ga.) would help extend the lead for the Stars to four in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Martin.

The Stars added two more to the board in the sixth making the score 7-1. After Diamant reached on a walk, an infield single from Ryan Cainzos (Miami, Fla.) moved Diamant over to third, before a two-RBI single from Anderson plated them both.

Derrick Mitchell (Tempe, Ariz.) allowed a single in the ninth but would get two batters to ground out, and one to fly out to seal the game for the Stars.

Nathan Aguilar (Torrance, Calif.) earned the win, throwing 3.0 innings allowing only one run on five hits with four strikeouts. Steven Milam (Las Cruces, N.M.) and Mitchell put in a combined six innings of work allowing no runs on three hits.

Jackson McKenzie (Fairhope, Ala.) was given the loss, pitching 3.0 innings allowing two runs on six hits with one strikeout.

"The kids really competed out there today," said Troy Cameron, 14U NTDP field coordinator. "I was encouraged by what I saw not only today but this week as a whole. I'm hoping these guys took advantage of every second they were here and hope they learned something new each day."

Stripes Even Series With Game 2 Win

CARY, N.C.- Dylan Lina (Carson, Calif.) led the Stripes to a 6-5 win over the Stars in Game 2 of the intrasquad series, as he went 3-for-4 with two RBIs including a one-out triple in the ninth inning.

"Dylan had an outstanding game today," said Stripes manger Eric Valenzuela, current St. Mary's College head coach. "It was nice to see him compete today after pitching three innings yesterday. I thought the game in general was fantastic. We played with more energy today and less nerves, which hopefully can carry over to Friday for the series victory."

An error to start the game helped the Stars jump out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.

In the bottom half of the first inning, the Stars took an early 3-1 lead on RBIs from Anthony Martinez (Fairfield, Calif.) and Termarr Johnson (Atlanta, Ga.). Back to back singles from Justin Crawford (Torrance, Calif.) and Joseph Brown (Petaluma, Calif.) put traffic on the bases while a sacrifice fly from Johnson plated the first run. A ground out by Martinez brought Brown in for a 2-1 lead. Later in the inning, Demitri Diamant (Las Vegas, Nev.) stole home to put the Stars up after the first.

After a scoreless second from both teams, the Stripes added a run in the third inning. A triple down the left field line from Christopher Paciolla (Temecula, Calif.) got things started before Karson Bowen (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) grounded out to the second baseman to bring the home team within one.

Another run crossed the plate for the Stripes in the fourth frame to even the game. A lead-off walk followed by a stolen base from Ethan Watson (Newport Beach, Calif.) put himself in scoring position while an RBI single from Owen Egan (Yucaipa, Calif.) plated their third run.

The Stripes added two runs in the top of the fifth on four walks and a single by Lina to increase their lead to 5-3.

In the sixth inning, the Stars scored two making the score 5-5. Johnson stole home for the first run and a two-out single from Steven Milam (Las Cruces, N.M.) brought in Nathan Aguilar (Torrance, Calif.) to tie the game.

With one out in the top of the ninth, Lina hit a triple to center, scoring Jackson McKenzie (Fairhope, Ala.) for what would prove to be the game winning run.

Bowen earned the win, pitching three scoreless innings for the Stripes and striking out two. Cutter Coffey (Bakersfield, Calif.) put in three innings of work while sitting down four batters.

Kaden Martin (Redondo Beach, Calif.) was given the loss allowing one run on just two hits for the Stars.

The third and final game of the series will come on Friday, with the first pitch set for 2 p.m. (ET)

Stars Come Out on Top 13-7 in Game 1

July 24, 2018

CARY, N.C - On the first day at the 2018 USA Baseball 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP), the Stars earned a 13-7 victory over the Stripes in Game 1 of the three-game intrasquad series on Coleman Field at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.

Anthony Martinez (Farfield, Calif.) was a force on offense for the Stars going 3-for-5 with two RBIs, while Christopher Paciolla (Temecula, Calif.) led the Stripes with one hit and two runs batted in.

After a scoreless first inning from both sides,the Stars put up a three-spot in the top of the second. A lead-off single from Derrick Mitchell (Tempre, Ariz.) followed by a walk put traffic on the bases. Jaden Anderson (Duluth, Ga.) advanced to second on a wild pitch while Mitchell scored from third to plate the first run of the game. A single by Jamie Felix (Kingsland, Ga.) moved Anderson over who then stole home. With Felix on second, a groundout to the right side advanced the runner, and a wild pitch brought home the third run of the innning.

The Stars added four more runs in the third to extend their lead to seven. Dimitri Diamant (Las Vegas, Nev.) would put two more on the board with a triple that scored Martinez and Kai Caranto (Santa Clarita, Calif.) after a walk and a single. Mitchell grounded out to the shortstop to plate another run before a pair of hits by Anderson and Jacob Randolph (Vero Beach, Fla.) brought home the seventh run.

The momentunm would switch in the bottom half of the third frame thanks to a six-run inning from the Stripes that cut the deficit to one. An RBI triple by Aidan Miller (Trinity, Fla.) got things started before five more runs crossed the plate to bringthe Stripes within one.

Two more runs would come across for the Stars in the fourth inning. A sacrfice fly from Steven Milam (Las Cruces, N.M.) would score Termarr Johnson (Atlanta, Ga.) who reached on a single and advanced to third on a double by Justin Crawford (Torrance, Calif.). A single up the middle from Martinzez plated the ninth run of the game for the boys in blue.

Three insurance runs were added in the sixth for the Stars as a string of four hits extended their lead to 12-6 heading into the bottom half of the inning.

An additional run was added for the Stripes in the bottom of the seventh inning on a fielders choice that plated a runner who advanced to third on an error after a lead off single.

The Stars plated one more run in the ninth on a fielders chice after a lead-off walk followed by a bunt moved the runner to third, resulting in a 13-7 final score.

Kyle Crow (Linden, Mich.) earned the win, hurling 2.1 innings while allowing six runs on three hits with two strikeouts. Duke Ekstrom (San Diego, Calif.) and Louis Rodriguez (Long Beach, Calif.) combined for 6.0 innings of relief for the Stars, while allowing only one run on three hits. Ekstrom struck out three batters, and Rodriguez sat down two.

Brandon Barriera (Coconut Creek, Fla.) was given the loss throwing 2.2 innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits with two strikeouts. Dylan Lina (Carson, Calif) and Andrew Villalobos (Globe, Ariz.) came in relief for the Stripes, totaling three strikeouts between the pair.

"I thought the kids played with a lot of energy today," said Stars manager Jim Koerner. "We want to see these guys do different things and if they can excel in a position they're not used to, it only adds to their value and shows some toughness."

Game two of the Stars vs. Stripes matchup is set for a 12:30 p.m. (ET) first pitch on Coleman Field tomorrow.

USA Baseball Announces 2018 14U NTDP Roster

2018 14U NTDP will take place July 23-27 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex

July 9, 2018

DURHAM, N.C. - The 2018 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP) roster was announced by USA Baseball on Monday. The final 40-man roster has been named following the conclusion of the 2018 14U National Team Championships in Arizona and Florida. The 14U NTDP will take place at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, July 23-27.

The National Team Development Program offers identified athletes an opportunity to connect with USA Baseball staff to better prepare for future national team experiences. The program includes skill development sessions, off-field education seminars and intrasquad Stars vs. Stripes games to assist in the development of the athletes as people and players.

"USA Baseball is excited to welcome these forty athletes to our National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, for the 14U National Team Development Program," said Senior Director of Baseball Operations Ashley Bratcher. "All of these young men impressed our staff and task force at our National Team Identification Series and the National Team Championships with their talent and character, and we are eager to get to know each of them better and provide them with a comprehensive development opportunity they cannot get anywhere else."

Of the 40 players on the roster, 15 are alumni of the 2016 USA Baseball 12U National Team, including Kai Caranto (Santa Clarita, Calif.) and Owen Egan (Yucaipa, Calif.) who also played together on the 2017 12U Team that won a gold medal at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan. In addition to being an alumnus of the 12U National Team, Tyler Avery joins the 14U NTDP for the second consecutive year after participating in last year's program.

Former USA Baseball 15U National Team assistant coach Troy Cameron will oversee the program as the field coordinator in 2018.

For the second year in a row, 18 athletes from the 14U NTDP will be selected to the 2018 15U National Team Trials. Phase 1 of 15U Trials will feature 72 athletes and begin on July 29 at the National Training Complex. Phase 2 will begin on August 1 and will feature 34 athletes vying for a spot on the final 20-man national team roster. The 15U National Team will compete in the 2018 WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup in David, Panama.

In 2017, Davis Diaz and Josh Hartle both won a gold medal with the 15U National Team at the COPABE Pan Am "AA" Championships in Cartagena, Colombia, after earning a spot at the 15U National Team Trials following their performance at the 14U NTDP.

Players are selected for the National Team Development Program based on their participation and performance at USA Baseball events. Recommendations from professional scouts, USA Baseball task force members and collegiate, high school and youth coaches at USA Baseball events play a role in the selection process for the National Team Development Program.

The USA Baseball 13U National Team Identification Series (NTIS) and the 14U National Team Championships in Arizona and Florida served as the primary identification event for the 14U National Team Development Program. In total, 25 athletes at the 2018 14U NTDP are new to USA Baseball following their participation in sanctioned identification events.

For more information on the National Team Development Program please visit USABaseball.com or follow @USABaseballNTDP on Twitter.

The roster for the 14U National Team Development program is as follows:

2018 14U National Team Development Program Roster(Name; Position; Hometown)

Eighteen USA Baseball Alumni Selected in First Round of 2018 Major League Baseball Draft

June 5, 2018

DURHAM, N.C. - Eighteen USA Baseball alumni were drafted in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Monday night, including number one overall pick, Casey Mize. USA Baseball has had 495 total alumni drafted in the first round since 1978, and 2018 marks the 16th time in the last 18 years that the first overall pick played for Team USA.

The Detroit Tigers started the 2018 draft by selecting 2017 Collegiate National Team alumnus Casey Mize with the first pick of the draft. He is the sixth consecutive USA Baseball alum to be selected number one overall following Royce Lewis (2017), Mickey Moniak (2016), Dansby Swanson (2015), Brady Aiken (2014) and Mark Appel (2013).

In total, USA Baseball alumni have been selected with the number one overall pick 31 times since 1971.

"USA Baseball is extremely proud of our eighteen alumni who were selected in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft," said USA Baseball Executive Director and CEO Paul Seiler. "The success of our athletes following their time within our national team programs is a testament to their hard work and dedication to our beloved sport, and we cannot wait to watch them as they continue their baseball careers at the next level."

Four-time USA Baseball alumnus Nick Madrigal (No. 4, Chicago White Sox), Travis Swaggerty (No. 10, Pittsburgh Pirates), two-time Collegiate National Team alum Seth Beer (No. 28, Houston Astros), Cadyn Grenier (No. 37, Baltimore Orioles) and Jake McCarthy (No. 39, Arizona Diamondbacks) join Mize as members of the 2017 Collegiate National Team that were selected in the first round. This team won all three of its international friendship series last summer against Chinese Taipei, Cuba and Japan.

"To have half of last year's roster selected in the first round is a real honor to everyone involved in the USA Baseball National Team process," said Matt Blood, USA Baseball 18U National Team Director. "These players have put in a lot of hard work and have also taken great pride in representing the United States in International competition."

Four national team programs were represented in the 2018 draft, including seven players from the Collegiate National Team, 15 from the 18U National Team, four from the 15U National Team and two that played for the former 14U National Team. In total, the 18 alumni selected in the first round have won a cumulative eighteen international gold medals and one silver medal.

USA Baseball had its most successful year in 2017, sweeping through its international competition with gold medals at the World Baseball Classic, WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, COPABE Pan Am U-15 Championships and the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup; in addition to the Collegiate National Team winning all three of its international friendship series against Chinese Taipei, Cuba and Japan. It is the first time in international baseball history a federation has won all of its international competitions in a calendar year.

The draft continues Tuesday, June 5 and Wednesday, June 6. Stay tuned to @USABaseball on Twitter for updates.

The full list of USA Baseball alumni selected in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft is as follows:

2018 14U National Team Development Program Staff Announced

St. Thomas Aquinas Head Coach Troy Cameron named field coordinator

May 31, 2018

DURHAM, N.C. - USA Baseball announced the coaching staff and evaluators for the 2018 14U National Team Development Program on Thursday. Current St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) head coach and former 15U National Team assistant coach, Troy Cameron, was selected as the 14U NTDP field coordinator.

The National Team Development Program (NTDP) offers athletes with an opportunity to connect with USA Baseball staff to better prepare for a future national team experience. The program includes skill development sessions, off-field education seminars and intrasquad Stars vs. Stripes games to assist in the development of the athletes as both a player and a person.

Cameron is no stranger to USA Baseball, having served as a coach at the 2016 15U National Team Trials, as well as helping lead the 15U National Team to a gold medal at the 2017 COPABE Pan American "AA" Championships as an assistant coach. He has also assisted in identifying players for USA Baseball national teams at the National Team Championships and National Team Identification Series (NTIS). In addition, Cameron's St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders were invited to participate in the USA Baseball National High School Invitational (NHSI) in 2015.

Scott Grove, the head coach at The First Academy (Orlando, Fla.), will join Cameron on the staff and will serve as the event's pitching coordinator. Grove was named the Sunbelt Classic National Coach of the Year in 2010 and led the Royals to the 2014 NHSI title.

In addition to Cameron and Grove, eight coaches will join the staff and run the Stars and Stripes teams. Current St. Mary's College head coach, Eric Valenzuela, and current Indiana University head coach, Chris Lemonis, will manage the Stars and Stripes teams, respectively.

Joining Valenzuela on the Stars staff will be Austin Preparatory School (Reading, Mass.) Athletic Director, Jonathan Pollard, Eastern Tennessee State University Assistant Coach James "Xan" Barksdale and Tulane University Assistant Coach Eddie Smith. Pollard will lead the team's pitching staff, while Barksdale and Smith will serve as assistant coaches.

Former University of Florida pitcher and 2009 18U National Team alumnus Karsten Whitson will join Lemonis' staff as the Stripes pitching coach. Harvard-Westlake High School (Studio City, Calif.) Head Coach Jared Halpert and Kent State University Assistant Coach Derek Simmons will serve as assistant coaches for the Stripes.

USA Baseball will utilize a rolling invitation process for the 14U NTDP participants in 2018. The athletes were selected from the 2017 NTIS, the 2018 14U National Team Championships in Arizona and Florida, and through recommendations from scouts, coaches and the amateur baseball community.

The 2018 14U NTDP will take place July 24-27 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. The 14U NTDP will once again serve as an identification event for the 15U National Team Trials roster. For the second straight year, 18 athletes will be selected to the 15U Trials roster and immediately compete for a spot on the 2018 15U Team that will compete in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup in David, Panama. Additionally, four athletes from the event will earn an invitation to the 2019 15U National Team Trials.

Xan Barksdale is currently in his fourth year as an assistant coach at Eastern Tennessee State University. Prior to joining the Buccaneers, he spent five seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Louisville. During that time, the Cardinals won three consecutive Big East Championships (2008-2010) and advanced to the 2007 College World Series. This will be Barksdale's third consecutive year working with the 14U National Team Development Program following stints as the catching coordinator for the event in 2016 and 2017. Barksdale spent two years playing in the Atlanta Braves minor league system from 2004-2006.

Scott Grove is currently the coach at The First Academy in Orlando, Florida, where he notched his 400th career win last March. Under his leadership, the Royals participated in the 2014 and 2016 USA Baseball National High School Invitationals (NHSI), winning the title in 2014. Grove is familiar with the National Team Development Program, as he was a pitching coach in 2016 and an assistant coach in 2017 for the 14U NTDP. Grove was named Sunbelt Classic National Coach of the Year in 2010 and Metro's Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2011. He was also recognized as the Florida Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2011. Before beginning his coaching career, Grove was drafted in the 1987 MLB Amateur Draft and played in the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays minor league systems.

Harvard-Westlake's Jared Halpert is currently in his third season as the Wolverine's head coach following four years as an assistant coach for the program. Halpert began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Fresno State, helping the Bulldogs reach the College World Series and win their first national championship in 2008. He has previous USA Baseball experience, working at both the USA Baseball National Team Championships and the National Team Identification Series.

Chris Lemonis is currently the head coach at the University of Indiana. Prior to assuming that role, Lemonis served as an assistant coach at The Citadel (1995-2006) and Louisville (2007-2014). He was named the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Baseball America Assistant Coach of the Year in 2013. Lemonis played college baseball at The Citadel and was a member of the 1990 College World Series team.

Currently the athletic director at Austin Preparatory School, Jonathan Pollard has worked with USA Baseball since 2012. He first served as the pitching coach for the 2012 Women's National Team before taking the reins as manager in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Pollard boasts a 25-3 record as a manager for USA Baseball, including an undefeated run in 2015 to secure gold at the Toronto 2015 Pan-American Games. He also led Team USA to a silver medal in the 2014 World Baseball Softball Confederation Women's Baseball World Cup. He was named the USA Baseball Developmental Coach of the Year in 2014 and was also a coach for the 14U National Team Development Program in 2013. In addition, he founded the New England Stampede Baseball program, which began play in 2010.

Derek Simmons joined the Kent State University baseball staff last July as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He started his coaching career with a two-year period at Central Michigan University. Simmons also spent time as a member of the coaching staffs at the University of Alabama and Kennesaw State University. Additionally, he served as the Stars assistant coach in 2014 and as the PONY coach in the 2012 and 2013 USA Baseball Tournament of Stars. Prior to beginning his coaching career, Simmons played for the University of Montevallo, where he helped lead the team to the 2006 Division II College World Series before transferring to Georgia State University.

Former 17U NTDP assistant coach Eddie Smith is currently in his first year as the hitting and third base coach for Tulane University. Prior to his time with the Green Wave, Smith spent time as the head coach at Lower Columbia College, where he led the Red Devils to three straight West Region titles as well as two Athletic Conference Championships in 2015 and 2017. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Virginia, where the Cavaliers earned three ACC Championships and two College World Series appearances in his five years with the program. Smith spent a year on the Santa Clara coaching staff before returning to his alma mater, Notre Dame, as an assistant coach in 2013. In two years with the Fighting Irish, Smith was a part of a team who compiled two Big East Conference Championship titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances. He was inducted into the Centralia College Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Eric Valenzuela is currently in his fifth season at the helm for the Saint Mary's Gaels. The Gaels won their first-ever West Coast Conference season title, their first WCC Tournament title and secured their first trip to an NCAA Regional in just his third year. The 2016 season was further capped off with Valenzuela being named the WCC Coach of the Year. Prior to his time at Saint Mary's, Valenzuela spent four seasons at San Diego State as a pitching coach, where in 2013 the staff led the Aztecs to their first Mountain West title since 2000, as well as their first NCAA appearance in four years. He also spent six years at San Diego, where he helped the Toreros reach the NCAA Tournament three times as well as capture two West Coast Conference regular season titles. He played collegiately at Arizona State, where he was a part of the 1998 team that made a College World Series appearance. He ultimately transferred to Pepperdine, where he was a team captain in the Waves' 2001 West Coast Conference title winning season.

Karsten Whitson is a former USA Baseball and University of Florida pitcher. As a member of the 2009 USA Baseball 18U National Team, he won a gold medal at the COPABE Pan Am "AAA" Championships in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. He was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft by the San Deigo Padres but elected to go to college. Whitson was later selected in the 11th round of the 2014 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Boston Red Sox. While at Florida, Whitson was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

USA Baseball Ranked Number One In Latest WBSC Baseball World Rankings

USA Baseball sits atop the baseball world rankings for the first time since 2014

February 22, 2018

DURHAM, N.C. - USA Baseball has reclaimed the top spot in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Baseball World Rankings as announced today by the WBSC. Following a 2017 season in which Team USA swept its international competitions at the 12U, 15U, 18U, Collegiate and Professional levels, the U.S. is ranked number one for the first time since 2014.

"To be recognized by the WBSC as the preeminent baseball program in the world is a testament to all of the hard work that our athletes, coaches and USA Baseball staff have put in to our national team programs," said Paul Seiler, Executive Director and CEO of USA Baseball. "Our organization has celebrated unprecedented success in the past few years and we will continue to build on those achievements as we reach toward new heights."

The WBSC Baseball World Rankings weigh a country's National Team performance - from U-12 to Professional - in WBSC-sanctioned international competitions over a four-year period.

USA Baseball had its most successful year in 2017, setting a record for most annual Baseball World Ranking points amassed with 2,127. The U.S. swept through its international competition with gold medals at the World Baseball Classic, WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, COPABE Pan Am U-15 Championships and the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup; in addition to the Collegiate National Team winning all three of its international friendship series against Chinese Taipei, Cuba and Japan. It is the first time in international baseball history a federation has won all of its international competitions in a calendar year.

Since 2015, USA Baseball has won five world championships, including being the reigning World Baseball Classic Champion, as well as the reigning world champions at the 12U and 18U age levels. In total, the U.S. has medaled in all 11 international tournaments it has participated in since 2015, winning seven gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze.

Additionally, the Collegiate National Team has won six of eight international friendship series against Chinese Taipei (2-0-1), Cuba (3-0) and Japan (1-1) in that time frame, including winning the 5th Annual USA vs. Cuba International Friendship Series in Cuba - the first-ever series victory on Cuban soil in USA Baseball history.

The USA Baseball Women's National Team - currently ranked number three in the WBSC Women's Baseball World Rankings - has also won two gold medals since 2015, highlighted by an 11-3 victory over Canada in the finals of the 2015 Pan American Games.

Stars Clinch Final Victory Over Stripes in Game Three

Cary, N.C. - The Stars secured a 7-2 victory in the final game of the 14U National Team Development Program (NTDP) to claim a 3-0 series win over the Stripes at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C. on Friday.

Blake Burke (Brentwood Calif.) started the scoring off for the Stars in the first inning when he scored on a line drive RBI single by Thomas Splaine (Los Gatos, Calif.). In the third inning, the Stars put three more runs on the board when Cody Schrier (Coto De Caza, Calif.) and Burke both scored on an error by the shortstop, before Joshua Hartle (King, N.C.) then scored on an RBI single to right field by Splaine to give the Stars a 4-0 lead.

Thomas DiLandri (Las Vegas, Nev.) scored the first run for the Stripes in the fifth inning after an error by the first baseman to cut the Stars' lead to 4-1. The Stripes added a second run in the seventh inning when Jacob Galloway (Camarillo, Calif.) scored on an RBI single by Logan Forsythe (Biloxi, Miss.).

But that offensive push would not be enough for the Stripes to catch the Stars who answered back with three runs in the eighth. Two RBI singles, courtesy of Joshiah Chavez (Santa Paul, Calif.) and Trey Duffield (Houston, Texas), brought in two for the Stars in the top frame and then Chavez took advantage of a Stripes error to bring the score to 7-2 in favor of the Stars.

Daniel Corona (Brooklyn N.Y.) put in a strong performance on the mound for the Stars, throwing a solid 3.0 shutout innings while surrendering just one hit. Hartle and Splaine led the offense for the Stars with two RBIs each.

Dilandri pitched 3.0 innings for the Stripes allowing only two hits, no runs and striking out 3. Logan Forsythe tallied an RBI for the team.

Following the completion of the 14U NTDP with today's intrasquad matchup, eighteen players from the program have been chosen to compete for a spot on the 2017 15U National Team at Phase 1 of the 15U National Team trials starting Sunday, July 31.